Overexposure to Epoxy
Avoid overexposure to epoxy. Epoxy resins and hardeners are comprised of a number of chemical ingredients, of varying proportions and toxicity.
Fortunately, they contain only a very small proportion of the more hazardous ingredients. When we select raw ingredients for WEST SYSTEM® Epoxy products, we search for a balance between desired physical properties and the lowest human and environmental health risks.
There is a safe exposure level for most substances. The more toxic the substance, the lower that level will be. Overexposure occurs when the safe exposure level is exceeded. When this happens, the substance can cause health problems.
Hazardous substances enter the body by skin absorption, inhalation, or ingestion. The route for a particular substance depends on its physical characteristics and how it is normally used.
Overexposure to Epoxy Resins and Hardeners
The risk of exposure to epoxy resin, hardener, and mixed epoxy is greatest when they are liquid.
As epoxy cures, the chemical ingredients react to form a non-hazardous solid. As it solidifies, epoxy and its components are less likely to enter the body.
Skin contact is the most common route of exposure to epoxy resins and hardeners. Even minor skin contact, if repeated often enough, can cause chronic health problems. In rare cases, with prolonged or repeated contact, the skin can absorb harmful epoxy ingredients.
Exposure by inhaling vapors is unlikely because epoxy products evaporate slowly. However, the risk of overexposure to epoxy increases when ventilation is inadequate or when the products are heated.
People rarely ingest epoxy, but it can happen when resin, hardener, or mixed epoxy contaminates food, beverages, or eating surfaces, and when good hygiene and clean-up practices are not followed. If you or someone you’re working with ingests epoxy, call Poison Control immediately at 1-800-222-1222 or use the webPOISON CONTROL tool.
Overexposure to Partially Cured Epoxy Dust
Sanding partially cured epoxy produces airborne dust, which increases your risk of exposure by skin contact, inhaling, or ingesting. Although epoxy is firm enough to sand within two hours, it may not cure completely for up to two weeks. Until then, the dust can contain unreacted hazardous components. Do not overlook or underestimate this hazard.
Additional Information
For each Gougeon product that can create health problems with overexposure, there is a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) available on our WEST SYSTEM Epoxy Safety Data Sheets page. All sellers of WEST SYSTEM products must supply customers with an SDS upon request.
We also offer the 12-page booklet Epoxy Safety as a free download. It provides general health, safety, and environmental information as it relates to epoxy, and explains basic precautionary measures for the typical epoxy user. It also covers some specific health problems that may result if these measures are ignored.
If you have additional health, safety, and environmental information regarding WEST SYSTEM Products, call us at 866-937-8797.